WASHINGTON – All these warnings about more terrorist attacks – from Attorney General John Ashcroft, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and now Congress, via the Washington Post – ring somewhat hollow to me.
Maybe I’m overly sanguine, but I think it’s all about CYA – politicians and government officials Covering Their Anthrax so they won’t get burned by another public disaster.
They failed to warn the public about the last attacks – in fact, they had no advance intelligence, and were completely blind-sided by Islamic terrorists – and don’t want to make that politically embarrassing mistake again.
Solution: Warn the public – overtly in press conferences, and covertly through leaks to Bob Woodward – so if there are more attacks, they won’t be blamed for failing to warn us.
Here’s why I’m skeptical that organized Islamic terrorists, apart from copy-cat free radicals, will launch major attacks in the United States – even after, or if, we retaliate in Afghanistan:
- First, the official government warnings now are all general, blanket warnings about terrorists hitting “American targets.” As yet, no specifics – no dates, no places, no methods.
- What’s more, attacks by cowardly terrorists, who always hit from behind, have only been effective when they’ve had the element of surprise.
Do you really think they have that now?
If they attack here again in force, they would more than likely try to do so years from now, long after the dust has settled from the horrific Sept. 11 attacks, and after we’ve relaxed security again.
Besides, terrorists are too busy right now hiding and hunkering down to be on any kind of orchestrated terror offensive. They’re the ones with bull’s-eyes on their heads now, or at least we hope that’s the case.
I have to wonder if politicians aren’t needlessly creating an even greater state of anxiety by overcompensating, at least rhetorically, for the breakdown that occurred across the entire intelligence and national security complex.
Americans should remain alert and vigil. But their nerves are already shot. We don’t need any more stress right now, certainly not any that merely makes politicians feel better.
If there are specific and credible threats, let us know about them, so we can protect ourselves and our families.
If not, shut up.
It seems all we’ve heard over the past three weeks is warnings. Warnings about our safety. Warnings to the Taliban clerics to give up Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorists. Warnings that we have to reassure Islamic nations. Warnings not to profile Muslim passengers. Warnings to respect the “peaceful” religion of Islam. Warnings that this won’t be an easy war.
What war? Americans have heard enough talk from Washington. It’s time for action.
